As a virtual non-drinker, I can see the amusing side of the current alcohol restriction, although I wouldn't have been so amused a few years back.

I've just had an e-mail from friends in Bangkok advising they've not been able to get their fix outside of their expensive hotel mini-bar.

I'm wondering what the situation is locally. Are you able to get your fix? Maybe having to suffer the indignity of drinking from coffee cups. I'm not asking anybody to drop their watering hole in it by naming them, but maybe you could indicate that you've found a supply, and will advise via PM.

I drink at home and have a good supply of fine beers from WishBeer, Hand Me A Beer and Purr Beer.

When I first moved here to Korat, about eleven years ago, there were several nearby bars where I'd enjoy a happy hour brew, no matter what the holiday. All those have closed now and there are none to replace them. I haven't been to a watering hole in Korat in at least five or six years.

When will the Thais realise how bad Buddha days and election days are for tourism? It's not as though tourism is a minor activity in The Kingdom - it's a big factor in the country's economic makeup.

On election days there should be a simple rule - anyone who can't vote can buy a drink - and easy enough to work out who's who..

Buddha days are a real downer for people on a short holiday, and a big deterrent to them coming back to the LoS, but respect for the national religion is important; so why not ban amplified music on Buddha days instead of closing bars? - the opportunity for tranquil conversation over a cold beer would be wonderful..

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly...

My wife ordered a glass of red wine last night, at a nice restaurant on Soi 94. The waitress advised us about not able to sell alcohol on the holiday, then quietly offered to bring it in a water glass if that was ok. It was and the water glass arrived filled almost to the brim, over Twice the amount of wine one normally gets in a wineglass. We joked that from now on she needs to pretend she doesn't want anyone to know she's drinking and request it in a water glass

Earlier yesterday I stopped to buy a coke at a small private convenience store near the beach. Normally the expats sit out front sipping beer. There was a large cardboard sign out front saying no alcohol sales for 2 days and another one stating no sitting out front and drinking for 2 days. As I bought my coke one of the regular expats came in, asked about getting a beer. The shopkeeper told him to go ahead, grab a beer from the cooler and go in the back room to drink it